Since 1957 · Toronto & Vancouver
60+ Years of Sourcing the World's Best Ingredients
From a small Vancouver import operation in 1957, introducing foie gras and Perrier to Canada, to the country's most trusted specialty food source — this is our story.
Discover Our Brands →1957
Founded
60+
Years Importing
2,000+
Specialty Products
2
Canadian Warehouses
Our Mission
Curating the finest ingredients from around the world
At our very beginnings, in 1957, we sought to import specialty ingredients that were previously absent in Canada, in order to bring us beyond the simple "steak and potatoes" formula that we were so accustomed to. In the 60+ years that have passed, we have curated a selection of 1000+ specialty products, many of which are hard-to-find, slowly making ourselves into a convenient 1-Stop-Shop for specialty ingredients in Canada.
In our search for the best ingredients, we specifically look for those suppliers and manufacturers who are driven by a passion for food. These are the types who make sure to create their products authentically, without sacrificing quality. Quality has been our focus, being the best rather than the biggest. Here are some of the suppliers we work with.
Our History
A Family Business, Three Generations Deep
The origins of Qualifirst first began with the launch of Far-Met, a specialty food importer, in Vancouver. Founded in 1957 by Canadian couple Michel and Nicole Farges, Far-Met successfully brought ingredients to Western Canada that were not being widely used. Amongst the products we've popularized over the years are: foie gras, Perrier water, escargots, Lindt chocolate, Amarena Cherries and Maldon sea salt. Qualifirst came about in 1984 as a separate company founded by the Farges' eldest son of 3, Yves. Qualifirst found increasing success over the years by bringing the highest quality ingredients from all over the world to Toronto chefs. Eventually, Yves Farges was able to buy Far-Met in 1999 when his parents retired. Today, Qualifirst continues importing foods from all over the world, as well as manufacturing its own in-house products, such as David's line of customized blends.